Huesman returning for 6th year

[AppSt94]

Does anyone find this a little bit unsettling, or at least curious? I hope there is a sensible explanation why after spring practice Huesman has been added to the QB room

There is no need for alarm or concern. This play was executed before camp. But I can understand why the timing of the announcement would make it look suspicious. There isn’t anything to read into other than he wanted back in, we had room for him, and the coaches found value in having him here. And no, I have been led to believe that if he had chose to stay back in December, we would have still gone after a QB in the portal.

[Appstate88]

Does anyone find this a little bit unsettling, or at least curious? I hope there is a sensible explanation why after spring practice Huesman has been added to the QB room

There is no need for alarm or concern. This play was executed before camp. But I can understand why the timing of the announcement would make it look suspicious. There isn’t anything to read into other than he wanted back in, we had room for him, and the coaches found value in having him here. And no, I have been led to believe that if he had chose to stay back in December, we would have still gone after a QB in the portal.

Agree 100% we need a QB1 and QB2 to get the job done over a 14 game season (12+1+1). Just like we need a RB1, RB2 and RB3 to handle running the ball.

[appfanjj]

I will say this about Huesman. He made one of the biggest clutch plays in App State football history. The pass he threw and completed on a dime at Penn State to keep a late drive alive. On the sideline and it had to be a perfectly thrown ball. Came off the bench stone cold and stepped up.

[AppSt94]

I will say this about Huesman. He made one of the biggest clutch plays in App State football history. The pass he threw and completed on a dime at Penn State to keep a late drive alive. On the sideline and it had to be a perfectly thrown ball. Came off the bench stone cold and stepped up.

That was Peyton Derrick.

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

Meh...my feelings would be different if he had significant playing time in the past 5 years, but very little in game experience. He could still win the starting role, but to have him get reps in clean up time when those could go to younger guys on the depth chart just doesn't make much sense to me.

Not hating on him for continuing his education and playing the sport he loves, just not sure how this benefits the team long term.

I’ve got the exact opposite view. We’ve known since winter that Chase Brice was QB1. What we’ve been less sure about were QB2, QB3 and QB4. They are, in order, a walkon, a true freshman and a redshirt freshman. They all are talented but evidently not ready to replace Brice if needed. Jacob Heusman is the one QB in the country who is infinitely familiar with our system, yet unselfish enough to take the QB2 spot. Major upgrade.

LONG TERM I don't see the benefits. This upcoming season, sure it could help. Personally I've not seen anything talent wise from Heusman that screams major upgrade, but he knows the culture and offense, sure. I'll give you that. I just feel those are valuable potential reps someone like Tabscott that was recruited heavily could have to help with the future. Lastly, I don't how you can accurately say evidently they're not ready to replace Brice when we've not even hit camp yet?

When was the last time we had a backup QB get valuable reps in a game? The reps come during practice and we should trust Ponce to manage those reps in the manner that he sees fit.

At any level of any sport game reps are valuable. Ask anyone that's played the game, coached the game, or been an analyst of the game. It doesn't have to come against an opponents first team defense, although in some cases it does. And while clean up duty isn't always a guarantee in a game, QB2 get far more reps in practice than QB3 or QB4. Usually the third and fourth options are running scout team QB, which of course is a simulation of another teams offense, not our own. I see and respect your point, I just don't see the value he brings being significant enough to not already put in place a plan for the future.

[appfanjj]

I will say this about Huesman. He made one of the biggest clutch plays in App State football history. The pass he threw and completed on a dime at Penn State to keep a late drive alive. On the sideline and it had to be a perfectly thrown ball. Came off the bench stone cold and stepped up.

That was Peyton Derrick.

Correct. My bad. Still a great play.

[goapps93]

Meh...my feelings would be different if he had significant playing time in the past 5 years, but very little in game experience. He could still win the starting role, but to have him get reps in clean up time when those could go to younger guys on the depth chart just doesn't make much sense to me.

Not hating on him for continuing his education and playing the sport he loves, just not sure how this benefits the team long term.

I’ve got the exact opposite view. We’ve known since winter that Chase Brice was QB1. What we’ve been less sure about were QB2, QB3 and QB4. They are, in order, a walkon, a true freshman and a redshirt freshman. They all are talented but evidently not ready to replace Brice if needed. Jacob Heusman is the one QB in the country who is infinitely familiar with our system, yet unselfish enough to take the QB2 spot. Major upgrade.

LONG TERM I don't see the benefits. This upcoming season, sure it could help. Personally I've not seen anything talent wise from Heusman that screams major upgrade, but he knows the culture and offense, sure. I'll give you that. I just feel those are valuable potential reps someone like Tabscott that was recruited heavily could have to help with the future. Lastly, I don't how you can accurately say evidently they're not ready to replace Brice when we've not even hit camp yet?

When was the last time we had a backup QB get valuable reps in a game? The reps come during practice and we should trust Ponce to manage those reps in the manner that he sees fit.

At any level of any sport game reps are valuable. Ask anyone that's played the game, coached the game, or been an analyst of the game. It doesn't have to come against an opponents first team defense, although in some cases it does. And while clean up duty isn't always a guarantee in a game, QB2 get far more reps in practice than QB3 or QB4. Usually the third and fourth options are running scout team QB, which of course is a simulation of another teams offense, not our own. I see and respect your point, I just don't see the value he brings being significant enough to not already put in place a plan for the future.

The value Huesman brings is as a quality QB2 who just may fight for the QB1 job. Our QB room contains extreme upperclassmen with no more than 2 years eligibility left and extreme underclassmen with no real in-game experience, very little real practice experience due to covid and lots of eligibility. While keeping the program solid for the future is important, winning each season is equally, if not more, important. I would rather have a seasoned, veteran backup, than be forced to send in a freshman to pull us through in case of injury to the QB1 (I know we've had success with that before but it's not the best bet). Mop-up duty is not the same as back-up duty. I see this as a luxury that covid has afforded us. The freshmen can be developed and we can have confidence in a solid QB, if necessary. If QBs 2-6 are only getting mop-up duty then that means the QB1 is staying healthy and producing. That is a huge positive. We're now in an enviable position as far as QBs are concerned. And it could simply be that Huesman decided grad school at App was a good move and he can still be part of a program he loves. Maybe he's looking to continue a career in football in some way and another year on the grid iron can only help that.

[AppSt94]

I will say this about Huesman. He made one of the biggest clutch plays in App State football history. The pass he threw and completed on a dime at Penn State to keep a late drive alive. On the sideline and it had to be a perfectly thrown ball. Came off the bench stone cold and stepped up.

That was Peyton Derrick.

Correct. My bad. Still a great play.

You ain’t lyin! That was a money throw, and to come in cold and on 4th and long....

[EastHallApp]

Does anyone find this a little bit unsettling, or at least curious? I hope there is a sensible explanation why after spring practice Huesman has been added to the QB room

Regardless of timing, I think the explanation is simply that they trust Huesman to take meaningful snaps if necessary more than they trust any of the freshmen.

How unsettling that is, is up to personal judgment.

[WVAPPeer]

Personally I don't see it as unsettling at all - to me it is comforting to know we will have a guy who knows the ins and outs of the offense - This could be a very special season and having a proven back-up as a security blanket makes so much sense - and as others have stated, it gives the new guys another year to learn as much as possible ---

[AppStateNews]

This has nothing to do with not trusting the freshmen. Huesman contacted Clark directly and said he was interested in coming back. Clark talked to Ponce and company. They had a spot and allowed it. Huesman was there during most of Spring (if not all). This was not a case of needing Huesman. This was a case of doing Huesman a favor.

[goapps93]

This has nothing to do with not trusting the freshmen. Huesman contacted Clark directly and said he was interested in coming back. Clark talked to Ponce and company. They had a spot and allowed it. Huesman was there during most of Spring (if not all). This was not a case of needing Huesman. This was a case of doing Huesman a favor.

I trust what you're saying but it helps the team out also, whether Huesman ends up being QB2 or not. He can be an asset on the field or the sidelines. It's a win/win. Thanks for continuing to share your inside info.

[WVAPPeer]

I just can't buy that this as a "favor to Huesman" - not saying that it isn't a portion of the reason but it would be a two-way street - it sounds demeaning to Huesman to say he was back only because of a "favor"

[AppStateNews]

I just can't buy that this as a "favor to Huesman" - not saying that it isn't a portion of the reason but it would be a two-way street - it sounds demeaning to Huesman to say he was back only because of a "favor"

Thats fair. That's poor wording. But it wasn't them reaching out to Huesman because they needed help. It was the other way around.

[bigdaddyg]

How does all of this work from the academic side of things? I think I had read that the super seniors have to enroll in graduate school? I don’t mean this to sound bad but what about a 6th year guy? I’m sure some young folks really love the college experience but man 6 years is pushing it. Can we really afford to just dish out scholarships like this? I love me some App football but I also hate when we cut some sports (even if I don’t follow them).

[huskie3]

If he already has masters he could start PhD.

[mike87]

How does all of this work from the academic side of things? I think I had read that the super seniors have to enroll in graduate school? I don’t mean this to sound bad but what about a 6th year guy? I’m sure some young folks really love the college experience but man 6 years is pushing it. Can we really afford to just dish out scholarships like this? I love me some App football but I also hate when we cut some sports (even if I don’t follow them).

It might take 6 years sometimes. Commenting for a friend.

[tromboneman]

How does all of this work from the academic side of things? I think I had read that the super seniors have to enroll in graduate school? I don’t mean this to sound bad but what about a 6th year guy? I’m sure some young folks really love the college experience but man 6 years is pushing it. Can we really afford to just dish out scholarships like this? I love me some App football but I also hate when we cut some sports (even if I don’t follow them).

It might take 6 years sometimes. Commenting for a friend.

Damn!! 202 Lit

[bigdaddyg]

How does all of this work from the academic side of things? I think I had read that the super seniors have to enroll in graduate school? I don’t mean this to sound bad but what about a 6th year guy? I’m sure some young folks really love the college experience but man 6 years is pushing it. Can we really afford to just dish out scholarships like this? I love me some App football but I also hate when we cut some sports (even if I don’t follow them).

It might take 6 years sometimes. Commenting for a friend.

I got 4 and a summer in Boone (that was great). After that I’d have been on my dime. Seriously though the extra year decision by the NCAA was kind of dumb especially for schools who basically played a full season. Oh well

[goapps93]

How does all of this work from the academic side of things? I think I had read that the super seniors have to enroll in graduate school? I don’t mean this to sound bad but what about a 6th year guy? I’m sure some young folks really love the college experience but man 6 years is pushing it. Can we really afford to just dish out scholarships like this? I love me some App football but I also hate when we cut some sports (even if I don’t follow them).

It might take 6 years sometimes. Commenting for a friend.

I got 4 and a summer in Boone (that was great). After that I’d have been on my dime. Seriously though the extra year decision by the NCAA was kind of dumb especially for schools who basically played a full season. Oh well

They may have played a full season but it was far from the full regular season experience, both as players and students.